All Posts in Category: Health Basics

Ely-Bloomenson Community Hospital is excited to offer Genius™ 3D Mammography™ exams, developed by Hologic, Inc., a worldwide leader in Women’s Health (1). Utilizing advanced breast tomosynthesis technology, Genius exams are clinically proven to significantly increase the detection of breast cancers, while simultaneously decreasing the number of women asked to return for additional testing.*

EBCH is committed to the fight against breast cancer. In offering the Genius exam, our radiology department provides a more accurate tool for breast cancer screening. If you would like to schedule a Genius 3D Mammography™ exam, or have questions about this important breast health procedure, please contact the EBCH Radiology Department at 218-365-8737.

About 3D Mammography

In conventional 2D mammography, overlapping tissue is a leading reason why small breast cancers may be missed and normal tissue may appear abnormal, leading to unnecessary callbacks. A Genius exam includes a three-dimensional method of imaging that can greatly reduce the tissue overlap effect.

A Genius exam includes both 2D images and tomosynthesis scans. During the tomosynthesis-DIMENSIONAL portion of the exam, an X-ray arm sweeps in a slight arc over the breast, taking multiple images. A computer then converts the images into a stack of thin layers, allowing the radiologist to review the breast tissue one layer at a time. A Genius exam requires no additional compression and takes just a few seconds longer than a conventional 2D breast cancer screening exam.

The Hologic system is the only clinically superior breast tomosynthesis system as approved by the FDA. The new system is recommended for women of all ages and breast densities. The system allows our radiologists to more effectively pinpoint the size, shape and location of abnormalities. This leads to better detection and greater peace of mind for our patients.

Large clinical studies in the U.S. and Europe have demonstrated the positive benefits of a Genius 3D Mammography™ exam. The largest study to date on breast cancer screening using the Genius exam was published in the June 25, 2014 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) (2). Findings include:

A 41% increase in the detection of invasive breast cancers.

A 29% increase in the detection of all breast cancers.

A 15% decrease in women recalled for additional imaging.

The Hologic system is the first FDA-approved breast tomosynthesis system in the U.S. Hologic Genius 3D Mammography™ exams are now available in all 50 states and over 50 countries. To date, more than 8 million women have been screened with this advanced screening system – and we are proud to offer them here at Ely-Bloomenson Community Hospital!

*Compared to 2D Mammography

(1) Genius™ 3D Mammography™ exams are available only on the Hologic Selenia® Dimensions® system.

The snow is finally melted, the lakes are open and the kids are counting down the days until school is out. That can only mean one thing…summer is almost here!

Ely-Bloomenson Community Hospital would like to remind you of some important health and safety tips as you are out enjoying the summer season. The sun is extremely powerful in the summer months and can cause not only painful sunburn but is considered to be one of the main contributing factors to skin cancer as well. According to the Skin Cancer Foundations website, “The vast majority of melanomas are caused by the sun. In fact, one UK study found that about 86 percent of melanomas can be attributed to exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun.” Always try and wear a 30 SPF or higher sunscreen that contains both UVA and UVB protection; this is typically indicated on the label as “broad spectrum”.

Sunscreen does not last all day, think about reapplying after swimming, sweating or being out in the sun for more than two hours. Better yet, cover up. Wearing long sleeve, light weight and color clothing along with a wide brimmed hat can add to your sun protection strategy. Keep in mind that midday is the hottest part of the day and offers the most opportunity of heat related illness such as heat exhaustion or sunburn. If possible, seek shade during the peak hours of 11:00 am-4:00 pm and try to plan your most strenuous tasks or outdoor activities for children in the morning or evening.

When thinking about sun protection, consider your whole body. Wear sunglasses that provide at least 99% protection from UVA and UVB rays and, whether you are playing a summer sport or doing household chores like mowing the lawn, consider sunglasses with safety glass for added protection. Did you know that shiny lip gloss can actually absorb light and cause painful burned lips? Protect your lips by using a lip balm that contains a minimum of 30 SPF.

Some of the summer health and safety concerns for you and your family include items that you probably already consider year round such as diet, sleep and exercise but sometimes in the chaos created by summer we lose track of what is important for an overall healthy lifestyle. Summer is the perfect time to give your diet a “berry boost”. Berries such as blueberries and blackberries are abundant and in season all summer and contain antioxidants and fiber that are important to a well balanced diet. Plenty of fluids are also a vital part of your summer diet and that means water not caffeine or alcohol which both induce the need to urinate and increase your risk of dehydration. Sleep well, it is important that just because it is light out later that we resist the urge to stay up later. Getting the correct amount of sleep every night, that is 7-9 hours a day for adults, is crucial to a healthy lifestyle.

Some final things to consider when thinking about summer safety are not things we think about everyday but they are no less important. Food-borne illness dramatically increases in the summer. Keep food safe during cookouts and camping trips by handling, preparing and cooking food properly. When having your summer cookouts and camping trips, keep in mind the importance of safeguarding yourself against mosquito and tick-borne illness. Wear long sleeves and long pants when you know you’ll be in areas with a lot of ticks and mosquitos. If possible treat your clothing with permethrin and always use insect repellent.

Everyone at Ely-Bloomenson wishes your family a safe, happy and healthy summer!

Your screening mammogram DOES NOT require a doctor’s order. We have SAGE Program options available for uninsured, high deductible, high c0-pay.

SAGE is a Cancer Screening Program designed to keep Minnesotans healthy through screening and early detection of breast, cervical and colorectal cancers. A coordinated office visit including a breast exam and cervical cancer screening can be FREE along with a screening mammogram for qualified woman at participating locations.

Our Radiology Department here at Ely Bloomenson Community Hospital offers free screening mammograms for all women over the age of 40 who qualify for the SAGE Program. The program is designed to assist patients who are uninsured, have insurance that does not cover screenings, insurance that has a high deductible or co-pay or those who meet the income guidelines for the program.